The effectiveness of drip irrigation technology for sugarcane in Phu Quy
(Baonghean)In Nghia Dan district, there are over 10,000 hectares of sugarcane, but the average yield over the years has only reached 45-55 tons/ha, much lower than the yield potential of the sugarcane varieties. According to experts, the reasons for this limitation stem from planting methods, intensive farming investment, and especially the inappropriate irrigation supply for the growth and development of sugarcane, thus reducing yield.
To address this issue, after a period of research, Nghe An Sugar Company Tate & Lyle implemented a pilot program selecting 6 sugarcane farmers with a total area of 18 hectares to provide an average of 60 million VND/hectare in interest-free loans to invest in drip irrigation systems, purchase and support the installation of equipment such as pumps, air release valves, pressure regulators, disc filters, fertilizer injectors, water pipes, pressure gauges, etc. At the same time, they guided the farmers on the method of planting sugarcane in double rows, replacing the traditional method of plowing and sowing seeds directly into the ground that the farmers had been using.
The application of this scientific advancement has initially proven effective for households, demonstrating savings in labor, even and sufficient irrigation, resulting in better sugarcane growth. Expected sugarcane yield is over 120 tons/ha. Using the double-row planting method, the amount of seedlings needed per hectare is only 6.6 tons, a reduction of over 3 tons compared to the old planting method.
Mr. Duong Dinh Tan, from Nghia Xuan commune, is one of the households participating in the pilot application of automatic irrigation technology for 2 hectares of sugarcane. He said that this is the first time he has felt reassured when facing severe droughts. Previously, with surface irrigation, workers had to carry water hoses and run tirelessly across the hills under the scorching sun, which was extremely arduous, labor-intensive, and inefficient because the water only covered the surface and did not penetrate the sugarcane roots. Now, with the drip irrigation system, all it takes is starting the pump and they can comfortably watch the water seep deep into each sugarcane root. The drip irrigation system has truly freed up labor, saving maximum costs in terms of labor and fuel.
Furthermore, in the past, farmers had to plow furrows, apply fertilizer, and then cover it with soil, which was very laborious, and the fertilizer was easily evaporated or washed away by unexpected rains. Now, drip irrigation systems are not only important for providing water to crops but are also used for applying fertilizers and pesticides, saving labor and reducing losses because the fertilizer penetrates deeply and directly into each sugarcane root. Moreover, drip irrigation limits the leaching of chemicals applied to sugarcane into the environment, contributing to reduced environmental pollution, lower operating costs, precise control of irrigation water and fertilizer... and can be applied to small sugarcane growing areas.
The effectiveness of the drip irrigation model for sugarcane cultivation is evident, but the possibility of scaling up this model remains a matter for discussion. According to proposals from sugarcane farmers, there are two main challenges: water availability and investment costs. For farmers, securing 60-70 million VND for investment is not feasible for every household. Furthermore, the process of scaling up this model is not solely up to the farmers themselves, but depends on whether the sugarcane fields are near a water source. Therefore, for the model to be successfully scaled up, investment support is needed, along with the development of ponds, streams, dams, and farmers digging their own ponds for irrigation.
Based on the practical effectiveness of drip irrigation for sugarcane in pilot projects, it is hoped that in the future, this technology will be proactively adopted and widely implemented by sugarcane farmers.
Nguyen Hung Cuong
